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leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs and averting his gaze. “Is it literal or something more … sexual?”
    “No one’s sure. This is all new territory. Why? What are you not telling me?”
    Merda!
Kagan lifted his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. He had to bring it up, didn’t he?
Stupido!
He pasted on a benign smile and answered. “Nothing. Nothing at all. Only trying to stay on top of any problems that might arise. You know me — always prepared.”
    Xander considered him for a moment then smiled. “Well, I’ll have Wyck check into your ‘nothing’ anyway. Yet another reason Mira should come with you today.”
    “Come with you where?” Both men turned in unison. Mira stood before them, wiping sleep from her eyes and shuffling from one foot to the other. “Sorry to disappoint you both, but the only place I’m going today is home.”
    • • •
    Mira frowned as Kagan ignored her statement and stood to make introductions. The man he’d called Xander grabbed her hand in a firm grip, not the limp noodle kind she detested. He smiled, an open gesture full of welcome. “Nice to meet you, Mira.”
    She stared, not sure how to respond. He was a friend of the crazy guy who’d kidnapped her the night before. With her limited conversation skills on hiatus so early in the morning, Mira settled on the truly eloquent, “Uh, yeah, you too.”
    Kagan returned to his seat and stretched out in the chair with a soft groan. His long legs extended to cross at the ankles, the half-unbuttoned jeans he wore straining across the bulge of his crotch. She swallowed hard, her traitorous gaze tracking the thin line of dark hair down his abdomen until it disappeared beneath his button fly. She licked her lips.
Shit! I need to be clear and focused, not distracted by Mr. Tall, Dark, and Beefcake.
    Xander’s voice made her jump. She’d forgotten he was present. “Mira. I’d like Kagan to bring you along later today. Our team has some information you might find useful. To help you make sense of this situation.”
    Mira turned to face her new acquaintance. He was taller than Kagan, his rangier frame housing the same powerful build. He dressed all in black, his ebony hair glinting blue in the sunlight, and his silver eyes shining with quick intelligence. He looked at her, his expression expectant. Mira tried to remember what the hell he’d asked her.
Jesus, are all Kagan’s friends so hypnotic?
Xander smiled and repeated his question. Mira flashed him a small, grateful smile and plunked down in the empty seat beside her.
    “I’m not sure.” Her fingers traced invisible patterns on the tabletop. “You must understand how crazy all this sounds. I don’t know you people. You could tie me up and whisk me off to some cult hideout somewhere.”
    “Listen, Mira. Xander explains this stuff a whole lot better than me.” Kagan straightened, fixing her with an intense gaze. “After last night you owe it to yourself to at least hear him — us — out.”
    Mira slumped in her chair. His promise of protection rang through her head. She didn’t need anybody’s protection. She’d worked hard for her independence and took care of herself. Her past had taught her she was better off alone. Solitude was its own protection. “You say I have this thing you’re supposed to guard, but I don’t. I think you’ve got the wrong person.”
    “Have you ever read the Book of Revelation, Mira?” Xander crouched beside her.
    Oh, goodie, religious fanatics.
And just when she’d started to think this guy was normal.
“Yeah, sure. But I should tell you up front I’m not a spiritual person.”
    Xander squinted, his gaze traveling over her face before he stood once more. His demeanor morphed from serious inquisition to cheerful efficiency. “Want some coffee?”
    She nodded, he poured. “Do you take anything?”
    Mira shook her head and he handed her the cup. She wrapped her fingers around the solid warmth, savoring the heat